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Fernhill Park and Gardens

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Fernhill is a former substantial family residence with ancillary buildings on 34 hectares of land just south of the Enniskerry Road at Stepaside, County Dublin. Fernhill Park and Gardens form an important component of the historic landscape on the fringe of Dublin City and an impressive example of a small estate dating back to around 1723. The former substantial family residence with ancillary buildings is surrounded by gardens, parkland, woodland and agricultural land in an elevated location overlooking Dublin Bay.

Update (August 2018): The new entrance into Fernhill Park and Gardens will create a strong presence for the park along the Enniskerry Road. It will also provide a convenient pedestrian connection with the local residential areas and the village of Stepaside. The concept for the design was informed by the historic estate and the distinct local, rural landscape. The emphasis of the project is on the usage of the highest quality local materials and the best traditional craftsmanship. This new intervention aims to stitch seamlessly into the fabric of the old estate while acknowledging its place in the 21st Century. The detail of the entrance is a celebration of all the craftsmanship and materials evident in the estate and local area.

Existing granite is to be re-used and any new stone will be indigenous, Leinster granite. The stone elements include the walls, piers and paving. The use of local stone masons to construct the enclosing walls will be encouraged. The gates will be fabricated by a master blacksmith with traditional rivets as a further reference to the collection of local historic field gates. Finally, existing mature trees will be maintained and supplementary tree and generous groundcover planting will soften the new entrance. Plants will be chosen to echo the unique collection in Fernhill and to thrive in the local climate.

The existing access into the Park every Sunday will be maintained at this entrance throughout the works.

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Following a comprehensive feasibility study and public consultation process in 2016, plans for the development of Fernhill as a sustainable regional park were approved by the Councillors at the September 2017 County Council meeting. Detailed design for phase 1 has already begun and the first paths were constructed in December 2017. Phase 1 includes paths in the front meadow, works to the gardens and works to facilitate vehicular access and car parking. Phase 1 is on-going with the main civil engineering works to facilitate car parking and vehicular access due to commence in mid 2018.

Opening hours: Fernhill will open for pedestrians only every Sunday from 9am to 3pm. There are currently no car parking facilities available with pedestrian access only at the new entrance on the Belarmine Roundabout. The public should take particular care when crossing the Enniskerry Road and upon exiting from Fernhill.

The map below shows the location and areas that are open for public access. Fernhill is a highly sensitive historic landscape containing a rare and wonderful plant collection. In addition, there many spring bulbs emerging throughout the gardens and meadows. Therefore members of the public should walk on the designated paths and dogs on leads are permitted in the front meadow and rear fields only.